Training the next generation of nurses and educating the public

nursing student

As many in the nursing world, I have been mildly obsessed with the unlawful arrest of Nurse Alex Wubbels. In hospitals around the county, there is a brotherhood and camaraderie between our law enforcement officers and health care workers, especially nurses. We all are literally on the front line of public service on a daily basis. So when I see something like this, I just cannot wrap my head around it. I have been wanting to get my thoughts out for a while, but I wanted to get all the facts first, cool down, and really analyze what happened.

It starts out as a nice day at clinicals. Your nurse is happy to be working with you – bonus. You were prepared, organized and your morning is going nice and smooth. You go in to check on your previously alert and oriented patient…. and they are no longer very alert and no longer oriented. NOW WHAT? …although you will need to get your nurse and/ or instructor, what should you be thinking about in a patient with new onset of acute confusion? And in reality, one day you will be that nurse, so let’s learn what to do now!